Chapter Six: The Great Wall, Mutianyu

Welcome to Part 3 of Manny's China Palooza: The Great Wall, Mutianyu

Standing on the granite wall, built during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644).

This section of the wall is less comercial than the highly touristic section at Badaling, and is famous for the multitude of Ming Dynasty guard towers along its length.

Manny sits in the window of one of the guard towers, admiring the view.

Posing in one of the archers' defense holes

Manny gazes at the steep wall of steps at the end of this section, trying to decide if he has the energy to ascend the near vertical stairs. (You can see the steps starting from near his right ear, heading towards the horizon)

Half-way up the steps. Near enough is not close enough for this intrepid adventurer.

Resting proudly at the platform at the top of the stairs! This is the last Guard Tower before the Wall disintigrates into ruins. Not many people realise that only relatively small parts of the wall have been preserved/restored, and the majority exists as ruins.

Gazing back to where we came from... and where our tired souls (and our tired soles!) have to walk back to.

Until next time...

xxx Manny

Chapter 5: Tiananmen Square

Ok so here is Part 2 of Manny's China Palooza: Tiananmen Square, Beijing

Manny colour-coordinates with the PRC flag

North view

South view


Posing in front of a blurry Mao (too late in the afternoon to get the light i needed for that kind of depth of field... but appropriate as most of his memory here is somewhat blurred from truth)

Getting suspicious looks from the guards on duty

Chilling at the Front Gate: Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644)

Playing nice:

xxx Manny

Chapter 4: The Forbidden City, Beijing

I finally got some photos resized, got Beta-Blogger working, got Saturn aligned with Venus, and the wind blowing from the South-east, or whatever, but the end result is that I can finally post some photos of our trip around China.

So with no further ado, here is...

Part 1 of Manny's China-Palooza: The Forbidden City, Beijing!

On the edge of the moat encircling the Forbidden City


"Where's Manny?"
Manny tests his camoflaging skills on the front gate




Posing for a photo in one of the many gardens...


... and checking out the distinctive architecture.


Inspecting one of the old bronze couldrons, that were kept filled with water in case of fires in the old days.


Playing Hide and Seek


The obligatory photo in the main square of the Forbidden City


Stay tuned next for Manny in Tiannanmen Square.

xxx Manny

Chapter 3: Manny does Brunch

Manny does Brunch.

Manny checks out the menu at the Vienna Cafe
on Xiaoxin Rd, near Shanxi Rd, Shanghai:

Phil and Manny read a mag while waiting to order:

Manny eyes off the dubious Shanghai water...

...and then decides on a latte instead:

Manny gazes longingly at the rainy garden courtyard:
("Hello my god... it's Manny here... there's nothing much I want to say, just hellooooo my god..." --this will be totally lost on any non-Aussies, but ten points to anyone in Oz who recognises Manny's song)

Manny has to be talked down from a ledge when the waiter forgets his sandwhich:

Finally the sandwhich arrives:

And then of course dessert:

All tuckered out, Manny needs a Napkin Nap:

Manny gets busted doing a line in the bathroom
(The poor guy doesnt realise that without nostrils or a central nervous system he can neither snort nor get high... and I have it on good authority that sugar is not an illegal substance...):

Manny decides whether to use Visa or an ATM card to pay the bill:

...and goes for cash in the end:

Finally it's time to head home on the scooter

"Born to Riiiiiide!":

Until next week!
xxx Manny

Manny's Mothership is at Aussie in the Orient

Chapter 2: Manny goes to the Park

Manny Goes to the Park.

Here is Manny on his visit today to the Shanghai Civilised Park, on Huashan Rd. We are yet to find the Shanghai Uncivilised Park, however today's park proved to be quite civilised indeed.

Manny poses for a photo:

Manny gazes at the Chinese bamboo grove:

Manny checks out the pond:

Manny makes a friend:

"Hey, easy there, sister!"



"Whoa, come back!"

Manny needs a rest:

Until next week,
xx Manny

Chapter 1: Manny's Apartment

Introducing: Manny

Manny lives in Shanghai, China, and is the proud new owner of this blog- otherwise known as Manny's Mondays. Join him as he travels around Shanghai, China, and eventually the world. Who knows, he could be the first 80 cent convenience store toy bear to be sent into space!

Introducing Manny's first Monaday, the Apartment:

Manny on the Balcony:

Manny with his peeps: